Media Release

West Coast high schools benefit from Solid Energy support

21 March 2007

Four West Coast secondary schools serving Solid Energy's mining communities are benefiting from the company's ongoing community support. Each school has received a grant of $5,000 this year for specific projects developed to enhance educational programmes.

Solid Energy asked the schools to nominate projects which would help to improve their pupils' academic, sporting or cultural achievements.

In Westport, Buller High School's $5,000 will help with the cost of sports teams travelling away to winter tournaments and allow the school to introduce a monitored exercise and sports training programme.

Acting Principal Judith Millar says the heart rate monitors bought with the money are being used to check students' fitness levels and the intensity of the training."The monitors are a great asset to assist with curriculum delivery both in Physical Education and extra curricula sports training at all levels. The School is grateful for such generous support and values the link with Solid Energy.

Greymouth High School's $5000 grant is being used to develop its Mawhera Trades programme for senior pupils and provide funding for the school's sporting achievers to travel to events.

Principal Arthur Graves says the Trades Programme class has 24 students this year and includes automotive engineering in partnership with the polytechnic. It is a "classic case of personalised learning," he says. The Solid Energy support will provide equipment such as overalls.

"The support for sports travel is also very positive. Because of the small numbers on the Coast, it's enormously important for promising sportsmen and sportswomen to get challenging competition."

John Paul II High School in Greymouth will use its $5,000 grant to buy a set of data loggers to assist in teaching the sciences, mathematics, geography, technology and with physical education programmes.

John Paul II's Head of Science Andrew McCarthy says the grant is very welcome. "With the larger items it's not so easy for a small school to be able to save the money so a windfall grant like this means a great deal."

Reefton Area School plans for its grant include developing an area of additional shaded seating and purchasing new soccer nets and safety pads for the rugby goalposts.

Principal Wayne Wright says the sponsorship further demonstrates Solid Energy's commitment to community partnerships and the provision of quality resources for students. "Solid Energy is highly respected throughout the Buller, Grey and Westland education community for its contribution towards quality outcomes for the youth of the West Coast," he says. "We are appreciative of the support shown for our school and school community."

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